Village of Yellow Vestments

Story Event: Stirring Shadows

Episode 2

Village of Yellow Vestments

Previous Quest

Shadow over Teinsom

Next Quest

The Forest of Madness

Summary

Numerous writing forms of Hastur appear before the party. They are the ruined remains of villagers who sought immortality, and the sight of them makes the party decide to flee the village. But this choice comes too late, as they are surrounded by Hastur's innumerable spawn.

Dialogue

What?! Arrrroooogh! What is Hastur doing?! Curran! Over there! Whoa. What the…? It’s a bunch of Hasturs! Arrooogh… Gaooorgh… They appear to be in pain. Ooooorgh! Aooorgh! Graargh! Okay, and now they’re…fighting each other? Maybe? This is REALLY weird. Ah! Is that…?

Urgh…

It’s the old man from this afternoon! The one who wanted Hastur’s blessing!

M-my body… Guuuurgh…

Easy, old timer. Tell us what’s wrong.

Why…

Huh?

I was…supposed to receive…His blessing… I DID receive it… Uwaaaaaargh!

Gya!

Gabba! Garblagarrrbbbba!

Ah! The old man turned into Hastur! Is that the true nature of his “blessing”? Gwaaaagh! Look out! It’s attacking! I don’t believe he’s attacking so much as raging indiscriminately. …Of course, that’s still something of a problem. This place is getting a little too dangerous for my liking. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Okay, what’s THAT?! Some kind of roar? Or howl? But where–and who—is it from? AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa… Looks like they all decided to split. Is someone calling them? They are now servants of Hastur. Sacrifices burdened by a fate from which they can never escape. Akasha! Explain…all of this! Did I not warn you not to venture out in the darkness of the eventide? I thought it less of a warning and more of a veiled invitation. Was I mistaken? Who can say? Just know that I truly do not wish any harm to fall upon you. Thrilled to hear it, but we’re also not cute little kids who need mama’s protection. Now tell us what’s going on with all of the villagers! That old man who got Hastur’s blessing transformed INTO him! They are now the miserable remains of those who sought eternity. So that is the kernel of truth behind the legend of immortality in this place, mmm? THAT’S immortality? Being transformed into…into a THING? This village is ensnared by Hastur himself. Those who seek eternity have no choice but to become slave to His yellow cloth. And why is this Hastur fellow doing this? Don’t try to tell me it’s out of love and benevolence. There is a gate. A great gate meant to usher in someone beloved. Uh, wanna run that by me again? However, supposing that gate were under lock and key, what would you do? Are you saying that Hastur himself is searching for the key to this gate? And that he wants this key badly enough that he is willing to sweep up as many people as necessary to find it? What I can say is that there are none in this village save prisoners. Eternity. Worship. Desire. Obsession. All are slaves to one thing or another. And yet, I pray that you are not. Or have you already been so ensnared?

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…… I get that I’M not following any of this, but you also look confused, Heinwald. …This worries me. I have a terribly bad feeling about this. I think it would be best for us to leave this village as quickly as possible. Well, THIS is unusual. I figured you’d fight tooth and nail to stay in a place as mysterious as this. I assure you, I am deeply intrigued by all of this—but I also have no desire to fall victim to whatever preys on this village. Fair enough. We’ll head out at sunrise. Ah! Lathna?! What’s wrong?! It…comes! WHAT comes? I don’t know, but…I’m afraid! Something…comes! Noooo! Okay, NOW what?! We’ve got trouble, Curran. Look outside. The key is discovered…
The silver key to the Ancient Gate…
My release is at hand!